SEATTLE - Seattle City Light is asking its Downtown Seattle customers to reduce their energy usage today to avoid service interruptions while urgent repairs are made to damaged equipment.

Two banks of transformers at the Union Street Substation failed Friday morning while regular maintenance was underway on two other banks of transformers. The Downtown area is supported by a redundant underground network to increase reliability, but the loss of four transformer banks lowered the substations energy delivery capacity below the potential demand from the customers it serves. Such a situation could cause widespread outages Downtown.

Energy use is expected to be high today due to the potentially record-breaking temperatures. Repairs are underway, however, its anticipated that it will take the remainder of Friday to complete.

Help in reducing energy use is being sought from all customers in Downtown. Customers are asked to reduce their air conditioning use and to turn off any unnecessary machines, appliances, lights or other electrical equipment.

A press conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. at the Union Substation located at Union and Western.